Archive profile summary
Religious-political organization founded by Jerry Falwell in 1979 to mobilize conservative Christians around elections and social issues; it dissolved in 1989 but became a model for later faith-based political organizing.
Why this entry is in the archive
A major early bridge between televangelist audiences, church-based organizing and national conservative electoral politics.
Purpose
The Moral Majority sought to organize conservative religious voters around issues including abortion, education, family policy and national politics.
Infrastructure
It combined national messaging with church and activist networks, demonstrating how an existing religious audience could be translated into voter mobilization.
Legacy
The organization ended in 1989, but later groups such as the Christian Coalition developed new forms of evangelical voter organizing.
Evidence limits
Organizational succession is not legal or managerial continuity. Later religious-right groups were independent entities with different leaders and structures.
Timeline
- Religious-right and candidate infrastructure expands
Jerry Falwell forms Moral Majority; Beverly LaHaye founds Concerned Women for America; GOPAC is created to build a Republican state and local candidate farm team.
Jerry Falwell · Beverly LaHaye · Concerned Women for America · GOPAC
Relationship records
Jerry Falwell → Moral Majority
Founder and chairman · 1979–1989
Evidence status: documented
Paul Weyrich → Moral Majority
New Right organizer in effort that recruited Falwell; coined 'moral majority' phrase at 1979 gathering · 1979
Evidence status: documented
Richard Viguerie → Moral Majority
New Right strategist in organizing effort around Falwell · 1979
Evidence status: documented